Charitable foundation run by Hillary and Bill Clinton accused of ‘incestuous’ relationship with business interests

NEW YORK — Hillary and Bill Clinton have been accused of allowing their charitable foundation to become entangled in the business activities of close aides, amid fresh scrutiny of their finances.

An internal review of the Clinton Foundation’s activities reportedly found that it was “threatened by conflicts of interest” due to links with Teneo, a finance and consulting firm that was advised by Mr Clinton and Tony Blair.

An investigation by The New York Times found that the chief executive of Coca-Cola, a client of Teneo, was given a speaking spot alongside Mr Clinton at the foundation’s annual conference in 2012.

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The connection between Teneo and the foundation has come under scrutiny as Mrs Clinton prepares to move her staff into the charity’s New York headquarters amid speculation that she will run for president in 2016.

The relationship was described as “incestuous even for D.C. standards” by Ana Navarro, a Republican strategist.

Teneo’s president is Douglas Band, a former White House aide to Mr Clinton, who has remained one of the family’s closest advisers and worked for the foundation until 2010.

Coca-Cola stressed that its sponsorship of the foundation predated its business link with Teneo, which it said was unconnected. Teneo has denied any improper link with the foundation.

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